| For me, in my teen years, the church, in fact religion, was a
social event. It meant getting together on Sunday afternoons and watching
a volleyball game, maybe seeing a movie, having a brief period of worship,
and singing at the tops of our voices. The kids in PYF (Presbyterian Youth
Fellowship) knew which hymns were the most conducive to vocal volume and these
same hymns were requested every time we met. Most of all, to me church meant
getting together with other people my age. Especially girls. Yes, I had
raging hormones then like everyone else. Still do to some extent. ;-}
Richard
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| My 16 yr old wants nothing to do with religion. I'm not going to push
her, for I feel she'll rebel against it stronger. I'm just hoping
through the example of my own faith, she'll find Christ.
This is tough for me. I've been teaching Confirmation classes to high
school kids for over ten years. Most of the kids I've had as students
over the years have some degree of faith. The kids I've taught since
my daughter has hit her rebellious age, have been very mature in their
faith. It's like Satan's been rubbing it in my face, that my own
daughter rejects Christianity, will those that I teach, accept it.
Of course I realize that some of the kids that seem full of faith, are
nothing more than conformist out to please Mom and Dad, rather than
having a true personnel relationship with Christ. But there are many
that do have a real strong faith. I praise God for them, and I pray for
my daughters conversion everyday.
Peace
Jim
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| I wasn't sure if the intent in this string was to say what we thought about
Christianity and Teens, or to share personal experiences as Teenagers.
After reading .1 by Richard "Extended family" I guess the latter is
appropriate.
Hmmm,
For me, growing up, church was something you were made to do, if not every
Sunday, then every other Sunday (hopefully you got the morning prayer
services, the short ones). If not every other Sunday, then at least when my
father had to usher, but for SURE on Christmas and Easter.
My teen years were a dark time of chronic depression. (Not *everyone* had
raging hormones, Richard. There's nothing like Shame to put a damper on
that! .-) When we moved from Iowa to Pennsylvania, the pastor at the church
we went to was sort of cool. He said that if you were going to the beach
after the service, why not wear your swim suit to church? (Though I never saw
anyone actually do it. We always put on our "Sunday Best" look.) There was a
youth group I was made to attend. I remember we had a taffy pull. It takes a
lot of concentrated effort to make good taffy, and I was the only one with a
serious enough attitude to make good taffy, (everyone elses turned into rock
hard balls of flavored sugar), but I didn't eat any of it...I let everyone
else have it.
In high school the guy who was the closest I had to a friend got in some
trouble with the law. As part of his probation he has to attend church every
Sunday, a horrible reason to go, but he went, and I went with him. With
another group of kids (an ecumenical youth group. I guess, thinking back,
headed by a genuinely loving and caring man) we worked on a variety of service
projects and were exposed to a wide range of churches, from very reserved to
extremely Pentacostal/Charasmatic.
Behind it all I perceived a hollow emptyness and despair, but I know now that
I was simply seeing myself.
Through college I was interested in religion, read and listen to talks and
lectures, but rarely went to church. I'd call myself agnostic, I suppose.
I don't want to end this on such a down note, but the topic IS Christianity
and Teens, and I didn't hit my bottom till my twenties, so I'll just say, that
through some very Loving people and the Grace of God, I got lots, LOTS better.
.-)
Peace,
Jim
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| I found the following on a wallet-sized card at a religious supply and
book store. I haven't gotten the nerve to present it to my teenaged (16)
step-daughter yet. It would go over like the proverbial lead balloon.
TEEN CREED
==========
Don't let your parents down,
They brought you up.
Be humble enough to obey,
You may give orders someday.
Choose companions with care,
You become what they are.
Guard your thoughts,
What you think, you are.
Choose only a date
Who would make a good mate.
Be master of your habits,
Or they will master you.
Don't show off when you drive,
Drive with safety and arrive.
Don't let the crowd pressure you,
Stand for something or you'll
fall for anything.
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